Flag of Gambia
countryThe flag of Gambia was adopted on February 18, 1965 to a design by Louis Thomasi. Horizontal tricolour with white fimbriations. It uses 4 colours: red, blue, green and white. The official proportions are 2:3.
Hoist
Ratio 2:3
Fly
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Gambia |
|---|---|
| Country | Gambia |
| Official Country Name | Republic of the Gambia |
| Capital | Banjul |
| Continent | Africa |
| Region | Western Africa |
| ISO Country Code | GM / GMB |
| Internet Domain | .gm |
| Calling Code | +220 |
| Currency | dalasi (GMD) |
| National Language(s) | English |
| Demonym | Gambian |
| Area | 10,689 km² |
| Population | 2.8 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Gambia |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | February 18, 1965 |
| First Used | 1965 |
| Current Version Adopted | February 18, 1965 |
| Flag Proportion | 2:3 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 4 |
| Main Colors | Red, Blue, Green, White |
| Designer | Louis Thomasi |
| Design Type | Horizontal tricolour with white fimbriations |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Gambia |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red | #CE1126 | 206, 17, 38 | 0, 92, 82, 19 | |
| Blue | #0C1C8C | 12, 28, 140 | 91, 80, 0, 45 | |
| Green | #3A7728 | 58, 119, 40 | 51, 0, 66, 53 | |
| White | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Red colour | Represents the sun and the savannah |
|---|---|
| Blue colour | Represents the Gambia River |
| Green colour | Represents the land and its forests |
| White colour | Represents peace and unity |
| Blue centre band | The Gambia River, around which the whole country is built |
| White fimbriations | Peace and unity |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1965 | The design was first used |
| 1965-02-18 | The current flag was officially adopted |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
Flag Dimensions and Construction
| Official Ratio | 2:3 |
|---|---|
| Width | 2 units (hoist) |
| Length | 3 units (fly) |
Gambia Flag Usage
| Government Buildings | Yes |
|---|---|
| Schools | Yes |
| Civil Use | Yes |
| Official Ceremonies | Yes |
| Sports Events | Yes |
| National Holidays | Yes |
| Military | Yes |
| Naval Use | Yes |
| Embassies | Yes |
| International Events | Yes |
Other Official Flags of Gambia
| Flag Type | Use | Link |
|---|---|---|
| National Flag | National representation | View flag |
| Civil Flag | Used by civilians | View flag |
| State Flag | Used by government | View flag |
| War Flag | Used during military operations | View flag |
| Naval Ensign | Used by the navy | View flag |
| Air Force Flag | Used by the air force | View flag |
| Presidential Standard | Used by the head of state | View flag |
| Royal Standard | Used by the monarch | View flag |
| Historical Flag | Previous national flag | View flag |
Quick Facts About the Flag
| Flag Age | 61 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | February 18, 1965 |
| Oldest Version | 1965 |
| Designer | Louis Thomasi |
| Most Common Color | Red |
| Similar Flags | Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan |
| Unique Feature | Horizontal tricolour with white fimbriations |
Other horizontal tricolour flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Gambia
- The three bands are separated by thin white fimbriation, which is unusual on an otherwise plain tricolour and gives the design its distinctive layered look.
- The blue band in the centre is the River Gambia, which the entire country is built along — the flag is effectively a map in cross-section.
- The flag of Gambia was officially adopted on February 18, 1965. It was designed by Louis Thomasi.
- The flag in its present form is 61 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Horizontal tricolour with white fimbriations.
- The official proportions are 2:3. It shares that ratio with 82 national flags.
- The flag uses 4 colours: red, blue, green and white.
- The red on the flag stands for the sun and the savannah.
- The blue on the flag stands for the Gambia River.
- The green on the flag stands for the land and its forests.
- Blue centre band: The Gambia River, around which the whole country is built.
- White fimbriations: Peace and unity.
- The design belongs to the "Horizontal tricolour" family, shared with 32 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Armenia, Austria and Azerbaijan.
- Gambia became independent on 18 February 1965 from the United Kingdom.
- Traditional wrestling is the national sport; football is the most popular.
- The national anthem is "For The Gambia Our Homeland".
- The flag is flown everywhere on 18 February, Independence Day.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Gambia
When was the flag of Gambia adopted?
The flag of Gambia was officially adopted on February 18, 1965.
What do the colours of the flag of Gambia mean?
Red for the sun and the savannah, blue for the Gambia River, green for the land and its forests and white for peace and unity.
When did Gambia gain independence?
Gambia became independent on 18 February 1965 from the United Kingdom.
What is the national sport of Gambia?
Traditional wrestling is the national sport; football is the most popular.
What do the symbols on the flag of Gambia represent?
Blue centre band — The Gambia River, around which the whole country is built. White fimbriations — Peace and unity.
Who designed the flag of Gambia?
The flag was designed by Louis Thomasi.
What are the proportions of the flag of Gambia?
The official ratio is 2:3, which makes the flag rectangular. It shares those proportions with 82 national flags.
What is the national anthem of Gambia?
The national anthem is "For The Gambia Our Homeland".
When is the national day of Gambia?
It falls on 18 February, Independence Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the capital of Gambia?
The capital is Banjul. The currency is the dalasi (GMD) and the language spoken is English.